RPRA has released a new compliance guideline to support producers and producer responsibility organizations (PROs) in better understanding and meeting their collection system and minimum management requirements under the Batteries, Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) (includes ITT/AV and Lighting), Hazardous and Special Products (HSP) and Tires regulations, as well as service providers who support the operation of these systems.
The Collection System and Minimum Management Requirements Guideline provides guidance on establishing and operating a public collection system, including sharing collection sites, and how producers and PROs can meet minimum management requirements, including buying and selling “recovered weight” and “performance credits”.
The guideline will apply starting in 2026. The guideline does not apply to the operation of the Blue Box Program.
To support registrants in understanding and implementing this new guideline, RPRA will publish updates to compliance bulletins, registry procedures and FAQs to align with the guideline in the near future.
Consultation process
The guideline was developed with extensive industry input, including two phases of engagement, a public consultation, and review by the Competition Bureau.
RPRA consulted on the draft guideline from June 3 to July 18, 2025. All feedback received was reviewed and, where possible, incorporated into the final guideline to reduce administrative burden and complexity, add clarity, and increase flexibility. Stakeholder feedback and RPRA’s responses are summarized in the consultation report.
Distinguishing between PROs and prospective PROs
The guideline also clarifies the definition of a PRO, where a PRO is a person retained by a producer to carry out regulatory responsibilities. Only PROs that meet this definition will:
- Be listed on RPRA’s website as a PRO
- Be invited to attend all-PRO meetings with RPRA
- Receive system-wide compliance communications
Prospective PROs – a person that has registered with RPRA but have not been identified by a producer in RPRA’s registry to carry out regulatory responsibilities – will be listed on RPRA’s website as such for up to one year. After that period, prospective PROs that remain unassigned by a producer in the registry will be notified, removed from the website, and have their registry account deactivated.
In the coming months, RPRA will publish a list of producers who have not yet identified a PRO in the registry. This will help prospective PROs understand where opportunities may exist. All PROs will be notified when this list becomes available.
Have questions?
Please reach out to RPRA’s Compliance and Registry Team at [email protected]
Source: RPRA